In the Garden: Take comfort, spring is just seven weeks away

feb 4..poffenbaugh...geranium

The good news for gardeners is that this week is the mid-point between winter and spring. Only seven weeks remain until March 20, the first day of spring.

There is one hour more daylight than on Jan. 1 as the minutes of daylight become longer with each passing day.

It is time to make sure all seeds have been ordered or purchased for a new growing season. Be sure to keep accurate and regular records when seeds are planted ... dates of first blooms or first harvest of vegetables. This will enable you to "fine tune" the first seed sowing dates for 2015.

New AAS Winner Geranium

The "Pinto" series of annual geranium has been a superior bedding annual for many years. It has been grown by this gardener for the past 12 years. Pinto salmon with a white sweet alyssum border is a perfect color combination.

In 2013 a new member of this series was awarded an All-America Selections winner. It is "Pinto Premium White to Rose." It is easy to grow from seeds under a light garden, as I found out last year.

The 2014 Jung seed catalog lists seeds of this winner and other Pinto seeds. Cost per packet of 10 seeds is $3.25, or two packets for $5.70, plus shipping. The catalog offers other Pinto colors including scarlet, white, rose bi-color, orange bicolor, deep red and a mix of colors. Call Jung Seeds for a free catalog at 800-247-5864 or visit www.jungseed.com.

The new Pinto Premium White to Rose geranium was a top performer as a potted plant. Three plants in a 10- to 12-inch pot provide impressive color during summer and fall. Petal color is unique as it changes from white to soft pink during development.

A display with three to five large pots produced attractive color, up close and from a long distance. Sow and cover seeds with a soilless mix from mid to late February. Grow plants under a light garden for healthy plants.

Be aware the flower buds are eaten by deer. This was solved by moving pots to our porch, where pots were out of reach. The flowers were attractive both at a close and long distance.

Gorman Nature Center Calendar

? Saturday: 7 p.m. Owl Prowl. Join others for an informative program and hike about Ohio owls. Join Jan Ferrell and Jason Larson, who will lead the night owl hike. Meet at the visitor center and dress for the weather.

? Thursday, Feb. 20: 1:30 p.m. Winter nature walk for seniors. Meet at the nature center. A member of the nature center staff will conduct the winter walk.

Gorman Nature Center programs are free to the public.

Steve McKee has retired as director after a successful 35-year career at Gorman Nature Center. He also was in charge of the Richland B&O Trail. Steve will continue on a part-time basis.

The new nature center director is Jason Larson, who took over Aug. 1. He is a professional naturalist with a special interest in birds and plants. He has two graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, has been an Ohio state park naturalist and directed a nature center in Knox County.

Another retiree at the nature center is Merrill Tawse, who has retired after 32 years of service. He served as assistant director and conducted many activities for Moms and Kids preschool programs in the past 30 years. He also will continue on a part-time basis. He was well-known for his program on bats in which he used live bats.

Congratulations to Steve and Merrill for their long tenure and the energy they put into the successful programs and operation of this valuable facility. Welcome to the new director as he assumes his new position.

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In the Garden: Take comfort, spring is just seven weeks away

The good news for gardeners is that this week is the mid-point between winter and spring. Only seven weeks remain until March 20, the first day of spring.